AN investigation has been launched by police after fire wrecked part of a flat in Coventry last night....

AN investigation has been launched by police after fire wrecked part of a flat in Coventry last night.

Firefighters at first thought someone might have been trapped in the blaze, in London Road, Whitley, which happened at about 11.45pm.

Sub Officer Richard Millar, of Radford Road fire station, said that a policewoman discovered a mattress well alight in the upstairs flat but was beaten back by the flames and the fire brigade were alerted.

While the ground floor tenant was accounted for, music could still be heard coming from the premises and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus made a search of the property.

No one was found and it was later established that the female occupant had managed to escape earlier.

Mr Millar said a fire investigation team was called out to the scene and arson was suspected as the cause of the blaze. Police were now also investigating.

The front bedroom was wrecked by the fire and smoke damage was caused to the bathroom.